With Hillary Clinton out of the running, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal endorses Barack Obama for president

Photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanCongressman Richard E. Neal, D- Springfield, announces his support for U.S.Sen. Barack Obama D- Ill, during a press conference in his office at the federal building on Main Street today.

By GEORGE GRAHAM
ggraham@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield formally announced his endorsement of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill for president this morning.

"I am certainly enthusiastically supporting the candidacy of Sen. Obama," Neal said during a press conference at his Main Street offices. "I think his prospects are very good going into November."

Neal, who campaigned extensively for U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., said "I was for Clinton, I was never against Obama."

Asked if he supports Obama selecting Clinton as his vice-presidential running mate, Neal said "I think that ticket is a winner if that were to happen."

Neal said Clinton would bring something substantial to the ticket, namely the 18 million Americans who voted for her.

"It's about addition," Neal said of the accrual of voters that Obama needs to defeat Republican challenger U.S. Sen. John S. McCain, R-Ariz.

Neal said he and about 10 other House members talked with Clinton during a conference call last Wednesday about suspending her campaign, lending her support to Obama.

"She clearly changed her mind during the course of that phone conversation," Neal said.

Neal said Clinton was asked during that conference call whether she would be willing to serve as running mate to her rival. Neal quoted her as saying, "I will do anything to help elect Sen. Obama president."

Neal said he "can't imagine" Clinton saying no to a vice presidential offer from Obama.

Neal warned, however, that the Republicans are gearing up for a hard-hitting campaign and that Democrats should not be complacent about the prospects for their seating a president in November.

"I think one can argue, based upon recent history, that the Republicans will run an aggressive campaign," Neal said.

Neal said the Clintons have been "very kind to me" over the years and that he worked extensively with her on health care and Northern Ireland issues.